# NTSB ERA20LA006: Honda HA-420, N166HJ, Charleston, SC, October 7, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 7, 2019, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Charleston, SC - Coordinates: 32.89864, -80.04053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8986&lon=-80.0405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Honda Aircraft Co. - NTSB case key (mKey): 100391 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100391/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100391 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA006 ## Probable cause Ground personnel’s use of an improper towbar adapter lug, which prevented the nose landing gear from extending. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Honda HA-420, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=4400000), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Honda HA-420, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=4400000), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Honda HA-420, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=4400000), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during the landing approach, after extending the landing gear, he received a yellow nose landing gear indicator light and an aural “gear unsafe” warning. He aborted the approach to troubleshoot and, after performing an emergency gear extension, received a red nose landing gear light and a warning message indicating a problem with the landing gear doors. The pilot subsequently landed and the airplane settled onto the nose, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed a towbar adapter lug inside of the nose wheel axle assembly. The adapter lug was not a produced by the airplane manufacturer nor was it specified for use for the accident airplane. A witness mark was discovered on the top surface of the nose landing gear door and at the bottom of the nose landing gear bay. It is likely that, based on the incorrect size of the towbar adapter lug, the nose wheel landing gear became stuck in the stowed/retracted position. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 2019, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Honda, HA-420, H166HJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Charleston, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot and four passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated by Pro by Air, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 executive/corporate flight. The pilot stated that, during the landing approach, he moved the landing gear handle to the DOWN position. The main landing gear indicator was green, but the nose landing gear indicator was yellow; followed by an unsafe audible alarm indicating that the gear was unsafe. The pilot aborted the approach and requested a tower flyby, during which the tower reported that the, “doors did not look right.” The pilot attempted to cycle the gear twice, but was not able to resolve the issue. The pilot declared an emergency and performed the emergency gear extension checklist, after which the gear lights indicated that the two main landing gear were extended and locked; however, the nose landing gear indicator light was red. After performing the emergency gear extension, the pilot received a warning message about the gear doors. The pilot performed a normal approach and landing and the airplane slid to a complete stop on the runway. The pilot and all passengers deplaned on the runway and waited for emergency services. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. Further examination revealed that the pressure vessel was damaged as a result of the gear-up landing. The airplane was recovered to a hangar for further examination by the FAA and representatives of the Honda Aircraft Company. A towbar adapter lug was discovered inside of the nose wheel axle assembly. The towbar adapter lug was removed, and the length and width dimensions of the adapter lug was documented along with its part number (P228). The adapter lug was compared to the chart of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Brackett Aircraft Company Inc. The adapter lug was not a Honda Aircraft part, nor was it the OEM specified lug for the accident airplane. A witness mark was discovered on the top surface of the door and at the bottom of the nose landing gear bay. The clearance between the nose landing gear door and the nose landing gear axle without the discovered adapter lug inserted measured approximately 11/16-inch. The adapter lug was reinserted into the nose wheel gear axle assembly with approximately 1.5 inches of the adapter lug extending from the axle assembly. There was a considerable negative clearance between the fuselage and the adapter lug. A representative for the fixed based operator (FBO) who performed ground handling on the airplane stated that they use pin adapters when connecting the nose wheel to the towbar, because the wheel hubs are too small for the universal towbar hookup. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N166HJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N166HJ), registered now, S/N 42000066, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HONDA AIRCRAFT HA-420 - Registry model: [Honda HA-420](https://openairdocs.org/model/honda-ha-420) (registry code 4400000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE Honda HF-120](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-honda-hf-120) (registry code 30200, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 42000066 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 334 - Engines: GE Honda Aero engines HF120-H1A 2050 lbs thrust turbo jet; GE Honda Aero engines HF120-H1A 2050 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: Pro by Air - Registered owner: Pro by Air - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 17, 2019, 334 hours before - Departed: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL - Destination: CHS, Charleston, SC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CHS, Charleston Afb/Intl, runway 03, 7,000 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 21,000 total, 120 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: CHS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20191007014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191007014389A), Oct 7, 2019: Honda Aircraft Co LLC HA-420, Charleston, SC, Substantial damage. N166HJ was on approach to Charleston airport (chs) runway 3 and reported unsafe nose gear. The tower could not confirm the nose gear down. The aircraft landed… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100391. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12637786&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA006_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - nose gear examination and testing (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13432571&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20Honda%20Nose%20Gear%20Examination%20and%20Testing-Rel.pdf - FAA damage assessment (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12652384&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA%20damage%20assessment-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record banyan air service (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12660977&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Banyan%20Air%20Service%20MOR%20LA006-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 14 pages, 884 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12652483&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certification-of-Party-Representation-Form-and-Guidance%2020LA006_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12652875&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA006-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.